Woman sentenced to jail for setting fire to Lakewood home

Woman sentenced to jail for setting fire to Lakewood home

(Photo: First Judicial District Attorney's Office)

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — A 22-year-old woman was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Tuesday for her role in setting fire to a home in Lakewood while residents were still inside, according to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Rachel Dawn Lewin, along with her boyfriend, Lucas Piper, were arrested and convicted of arson and attempted murder after setting fire to a house in the 12300 block of W. Viewpoint Drive in July 2013.

The incident occurred during the early morning hours on July 27, 2013.

At about 5 a.m., firefighters with the West Metro Fire were dispatched to 12368 W. Viewpoint Dr. in Lakewood on reports of an active house fire. Upon arrival, they found the home fully engulfed in flames.

Police said there were nine residents inside the house at the time of the fire.

All escaped without injury, but the home sustained substantial damage.

Earlier in the night, the residents had attended a concert at Red Rocks Ampitheatre. At approximately 1 a.m., they returned to the home on W. Viewpoint Drive and, shortly after, Lewin and Piper arrived at the residence.

Lewin and Piper reportedly knew the others only through mutual friends.

At the home, a bonfire was lit in the backyard and one of the occupants began to demonstrate “fire twirling” for the group. During his routine, three individuals were injured, including Piper.

Piper became angry and threatened to burn the house down, police said.

Lewin and Piper then went to a convenience store, where Lewin purchased lighter fluid. They returned to the home and used the lighter fluid to set fire to the structure.

On May 15, Lewin pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder, first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit first-degree arson, according to the DA’s Office.

Piper pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to 22 years in prison on April 14.